diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/queue.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/queue.py
index d84ad71b8c..744f73382a 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/queue.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/queue.py
@@ -114,12 +114,12 @@ class XQueueCertInterface:
           student   - User.object
           course_id - courseenrollment.course_id (string)
 
+        [PDF Certificates only]
         WARNING: this command will leave the old certificate, if one exists,
                  laying around in AWS taking up space. If this is a problem,
                  take pains to clean up storage before running this command.
 
-        Change the certificate status to unavailable (if it exists) and request
-        grading. Passing grades will put a certificate request on the queue.
+        Invalidate the certificate (if it exists) and request a new certificate.
 
         Return the certificate.
         """
@@ -131,14 +131,8 @@ class XQueueCertInterface:
             certificate = GeneratedCertificate.eligible_certificates.get(user=student, course_id=course_id)
 
             LOGGER.info(
-                (
-                    "Found an existing certificate entry for student %s "
-                    "in course '%s' "
-                    "with status '%s' while regenerating certificates. "
-                ),
-                student.id,
-                str(course_id),
-                certificate.status
+                f"Found an existing certificate entry for student {student.id} in course '{course_id}' with status "
+                f"'{certificate.status}' while regenerating certificates."
             )
 
             if certificate.download_url:
@@ -147,19 +141,12 @@ class XQueueCertInterface:
                 )
                 return None
 
-            certificate.status = status.unavailable
-            certificate.save()
+            certificate.invalidate()
 
             LOGGER.info(
-                (
-                    "The certificate status for student %s "
-                    "in course '%s' has been changed to '%s'."
-                ),
-                student.id,
-                str(course_id),
-                certificate.status
+                f"The certificate status for student {student.id} in course '{course_id} has been changed to "
+                f"'{certificate.status}'."
             )
-
         except GeneratedCertificate.DoesNotExist:
             pass